If you like this, try…

Wines like Schiava

A very pale, light Alpine red from Alto Adige, with a distinctive strawberry-and-almond character. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Schiava

Refine

What do you like about Schiava?

Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.

I like…

The bright red fruit How light it is That it is not too strong How smooth and soft it is That it is not oaky

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too light or thin too alcoholic or warming too soft or too easy too plain or too simple too floral or soapy

Clear all

What these words mean

The bright red fruit: Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
How light it is: A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
That it is not too strong: Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
How smooth and soft it is: Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
That it is not oaky: No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
The floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.

Looking for something keeping how smooth and easy it is to drink, the bright red-fruited character and that it is not too alcoholic.

Based on what you said

Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.

English still Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.

Grolleau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.

Poulsard

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.

País

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.

Portugieser

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.

Tibouren

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.

Frappato

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

English still Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

Grolleau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Poulsard

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.

País

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

English still Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

Grolleau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Poulsard

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.

País

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Change the structure

Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.

Similar but lighter

Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.

Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.

English still Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

Poulsard

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.

Grolleau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

País

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but lower in alcohol

Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.

Kabinett

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less tannic and softer.

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less tannic and softer.

Hunter Valley Semillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less tannic and softer.

English still Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Grolleau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Portugieser

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tibouren

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Cinsault

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Parellada

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

Hondarrabi Zuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.

Trebbiano Romagnolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Dornfelder

Dornfelder scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Trousseau

Trousseau scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

English still Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Molinara

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fuller and richer.

Red Burgundy

Red Burgundy scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Portugieser

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.

Canaiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Dolcetto

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Négrette

Négrette scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Lambrusco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Grolleau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Portugieser

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

English still Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.

País

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Koshu

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.

Pinot Grigio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

Jacquère

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Frappato

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Cru Beaujolais

Cru Beaujolais scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Négrette

Négrette scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Grolleau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

País

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Portugieser

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Poulsard

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

English still Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.

Poulsard

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.

País

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Tibouren

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Frappato

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Cinsault

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Change the mood

Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.

A safe next step

Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Beaujolais

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

English still Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

Grolleau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Poulsard

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.

País

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

A better-value alternative

Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.

English still Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

Grolleau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Poulsard

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.

País

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Beaujolais

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Red Burgundy

Red Burgundy scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

How these are chosen

Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.